Last Updated on 23/07/2008
Ever tried to reach a prospect without any luck whatsoever? Of course, everyone in sales has. When is a good time to reach someone? It is unreasonable to call their number every hour of every day hoping to find the person at the office and available. What can one do if leaving a voice-mail has already been tried with no reaction at the other end?
If all else has failed send an e-mail and require a return reciept to it.*
If you have the prospect’s e-mail address send them an e-mail explaining your request or send follow-up information and request a return receipt. Your e-mail program will let you know as soon as your message is being picked up and read by the party on the other side. Your client is in the office and at his or her desk. Wouldn’t now be a good time to pick up the telephone to call?
The client is reading your e-mail and you can mutually decide whether there is reason to pursue the relationship. Technological limitations aside, reaching a person when one knows he or she is available and on the computer is a good time to decide whether there is a process to pursue or it is time to move on.
*In Tools>Options in certain versions of Microsoft’s Outlook
*On the actual e-mail window pane on certain e-mail programs.
